Two arrested for alleged heroin use in Greenfield’s Hillside Park

GREENFIELD — A local man and woman face heroin charges after an alert citizen reported suspicious activity in Hillside Park in the early hours.

Sarah McLaughlin, 32, of 128 Old Albany Road, pleaded innocent Friday in Greenfield District Court to charges of possession of heroin, possession of a Class E drug, conspiracy to violate drug laws and trespassing on public land after hours.

Thomas Coatsworth, 37, of 127 Wells St., pleaded innocent Friday in Greenfield District Court to charges of knowingly being present where heroin is kept, conspiracy to violate drug laws and trespassing on public land after hours.

Officers were called to the park at about 3:30 a.m. Friday for a report of a suspicious vehicle.

Inside, they found several items used to prepare heroin for injection, including a cup of water, a disassembled cotton swab and a spoon with a soiled piece of cotton in it, according to a news release.

Further investigation turned up a syringe full of heroin and several empty heroin packets were found outside the vehicle near the driver’s side door, according to the release.

McLaughlin, seated in the driver’s seat, also had an open warrant for her arrest, according to police.

Both were released on personal recognizance after their arraignments.

Hillside Park, situated between Conway and Elm streets, has been an area of concern for police and citizens alike, after several reports of drug activity and other unsavory behavior including graffiti writing. Last year saw the inception of neighborhood watch for the area, which is also patrolled by the downtown police officer.

The group has set up a Hillside Neighborhood Watch Facebook page, which lists its meetings and other information for those who would like to help.

You can reach David Rainville at: drainville@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 279 On Twitter, follow @RecorderRain